Work in
FocusComputer
position and light are key factors in avoiding computer vision
syndrome

By CATHY
BREITENBUCHER

Take
a good look at your workstation. A poorly positioned computer screen
could be causing eye and vision problems known as Computer Vision
Syndrome. Symptoms include eye strain, blurred vision and dry eyes,
along with fatigue, headaches, and neck and back pain. "I see
patients with that complaint on a daily basis," says Dr. Marcus
Neitzke, an optometrist in Waukesha who serves as the president of the
Wisconsin Optometric Association.

Ideally, your
computer screen should be 20 to 28 inches from your eyes and 4 to 5
inches below eye level. The screen should be free of glare from
windows and lighting. So, that sunny table at the coffee shop might
not be the best spot for using your laptop.

Regardless of
where you use a computer, you should take a one- or two-minute eye
break every 20 minutes, according to Neitzke. Look away from the
screen and let your eyes adjust to distance vision.

The same
guidelines apply if you’re playing computer games or watching videos
online, Neitzke says, meaning that ergonomics is important for kids,
too.

Other tips to
keep your computer vision sharp:

•Enlarge the
type on your screen to make it easier to read.

•Be sure to
blink frequently.

•Get non-glare
coating on your eyeglasses.

Color
My WorldPick the right lens for your sport

Sports represent
the No. 1 cause of eye injuries in children under the age of 16, so
make sure eyeglass lenses are impact-resistant; or, better yet,
consider investing in sturdier sports glasses or goggles, according to
Dr. Marcus Neitzke, an optometrist in Waukesha who serves as the
president of the Wisconsin Optometric Association.

Experts say
sunlight contributes significantly to the development of cataracts and
macular degeneration — and 80 percent of UV damage to the eyes takes
place before a person turns 18. "The more you can have sunglasses
on from an early age, the better," says Dr. Amy Jankowski, an
optometrist at Metro Eye in Milwaukee’s Third Ward.

So, be sure your
sunglasses in fact offer UV protection. "Some of the cheapy
sunglasses out there don’t," warns Neitzke.

Choosing the
right sunglass lens can enhance your enjoyment of sports, according to
Kevin Haro, eyewear buyer at Laacke & Joys, with three Milwaukee
area locations. "In a high-intensity sport like running or
biking, you have to be able to see what’s coming at you," he
says.

Manufacturers
including Smith, Oakley and Native offer frames that allow you to
switch lenses when you switch sports. Haro offers these lens color
suggestions for outdoor activities:

A diet rich in antioxidants and Vitamins A, C, D and E can prevent the
development of cataracts (cloudy vision) and macular degeneration
(loss of central vision) — among the most serious threats to an
older adult’s vision. For most people, taking a daily multivitamin
and eating plenty of dark green vegetables like spinach and broccoli
and other healthy foods like fish, milk and blueberries is good
enough.

Antioxidants,
not smoking and using sunglasses are "preventative maintenance to
keep the eyes healthy," according to Dr. Amy Jankowski, an
optometrist at Metro Eye in Milwaukee’s Third Ward. She prescribes
high-dose vitamins known as AREDS formulas for patients with a family
history of macular degeneration or other risk factors.